Ecosystem Dynamics – Bandicoots

Pre-excursion work

Students are expected to complete pre-visit work to ensure they are able to complete the fieldwork. This includes an in-depth research of the Southern Brown Bandicoot features and niche. Once completed, students will use this information to plan an investigation.

Abiotic Investigation

Students will use scientific equipment to investigate and compare the abiotic features of two sites to determine the suitability for a Southern Brown Bandicoot population and therefore a targeted camera setup site.

Abiotic features to be measured include soil texture, soil pH, soil temperature, aspect, slope, light intensity, air temperature and humidity.

Biotic Investigation

Students will use scientific equipment to investigate and compare the abiotic features of two sites to determine the suitability for a Southern Brown Bandicoot population and therefore a targeted camera setup site.

Biotic features to be measured include an invertebrate survey, scat and tracks identification, ground cover and vegetation survey

Aboriginal Histories and Cultures

Students will learn about the local Aboriginal people and some of the traditional management strategies.

Students will also lean about the importance of the Koorawull (Bandicoot) to Guringai people and visit a traditional Aboriginal site.

Human Impacts

Students will learn about the human impacts on SBB populations in the park and discuss possible management strategies to limit the impact.

NOTE: Variations to timetable based on specific location, number of students and weather.

Download the program flyer

Biology Stage 6 Syllabus 

Outcomes

A student:

> develops and evaluates questions and hypotheses for scientific investigation BIO11/12-1

> designs and evaluates investigations in order to obtain primary and secondary data and information BIO11/12-2

> conducts investigations to collect valid and reliable primary and secondary data and information BIO11/12-3

> selects and processes appropriate qualitative and quantitative data and information using a range of appropriate media BIO11/12-4

> analyses and evaluates primary and secondary data and information BIO11/12-5

> analyses ecosystem dynamics and the interrelationships of organisms within the ecosystem BIO11-11

Content

Module 4: Ecosystem Dynamics

Population Dynamics

Students:

• investigate and determine relationships between biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem, including:

        - the impact of abiotic factors

        - the impact of biotic factors, including predation, competition and symbiotic relationships

        - the ecological niches occupied by species

        - predicting consequences for populations in ecosystems due to predation, competition, symbiosis and disease

        - measuring populations of organisms using sampling techniques

Past Ecosystems

Students: 

• analyse palaeontological and geological evidence that can be used to provide evidence for past changes in ecosystems, including but not limited to:

        - Aboriginal rock engravings, middens

Future Ecosystems

Students: 

• investigate changes in past ecosystems that may inform our approach to the management of future ecosystems, including:

        - the role of human-induced selection pressures on the extinction of species

        - the role of changing climate on ecosystems 

Biology Stage 6 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2017